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Tamale, Ghana – Fifty-one (51) year old multiple award-winning Xylophonist from Fielmuo-Liero in the Upper West Region of Ghana, clinched the first runner-up position at the end of the public voting for the DMA Xylophonist of The Year Award contest.
The prolific xylophonist was tipped to win because of his previous track record of beating many colleague professional xylophonists at a festival in his hometown on many occasions.
The father of two boys has since the announcement of his winning the second position, expressed immense gratitude to everyone who nominated him and voted for him to be part of the list of honorees.
“God bless you people of Fielmuo-Liero, Nandom, Ghana and the lovely people on Facebook. I feel very proud of myself for this great honour done me, my family and the people Fielmuo-Liero. Thank you Dagara Culture Connect and Queen Hellen for this wonderful initiative”, he said.
Anthony as he is affectionately called began exhibiting his prowess in playing xylophone at the age of 6.
Growing up, he has always loved and played xylophone to entertain people and would also regularly play at funerals.
Anthony is a four-time xylophone champion at the annual ‘Kukurbagr Festival’ celebrated by the people of Fielmuo to thank God for a bountiful harvest.
The DMA Xylophonist of The Year Award contest was open to all Dagara xylophonist from Ghana, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.
Public voting also started on Friday evening for nominees of the following categories: Afrobeat Artiste of The Year, Dagara Hilife Artiste of The Year, Dagara Gospel Artiste of The Year and Dagara New Artiste (Discovery) of The Year.
Hellen Bekuone Dery, founder and CEO of the Dagara Culture Connect (DCC) announced the winners of the best xylophonists on Wednesday via a live Facebook broadcast from her base in New York.
Ms. Dery also known as the Queen of Dagara Entertainment, urged all followers of the DCC Facebook platform to also give the same support they gave to the nominees of the DMA Xylophonist of The Year.
She further reiterated her appeal to all Dagara people especially chiefs, musicians, businesses and well-to-do individuals to support the Dagara Music Awards to be a success.
The aim of the maiden DMA Awards is to promote Dagara culture through music and also encourage talented Dagara musicians by giving them awards for their hard work.
DCC and its partners will at a later date present plaques and cash prizes to all winners of the various categories.
The DCC since its inception about three years ago, has contributed so much towards the socio-economic and cultural development of the Dagara tribe especially those in Ghana. The organisation embarked on the provision of potable water to rural communities, supply of furniture to less endowed schools, payment of medical bills for the underprivileged, cash and food donations to widows among others.
By SavannahNewsOnline.Com/Kusiele Ziem
